Brazil

Copacabana, Ipanema & Lapa

Fortunately I moved to another hostel in Botafogo, much closer to the beach. I had to pick up my fantasia (samba costume) at the same day as my checkin with the new hostel. This would mean I had to carry my backpack, daypack and the fantasia. The instructions for the location where again a bit vague, but the taxi driver managed to get me there. I checked the street name and street number and paid the taxi driver. However there was no sign of life at the address. Only an iron door. There I stood with all my belongings, in a strange neighborhood. My first plan was to fetch another taxi to the hostel, because I didn’t trust the neighborhood. Then suddenly the iron door opened and a woman waved me in. The door was immediately closed behind me. I saw a shack full of fantasia’s. Now I understand the caution. I recalled a fire in three Sambaschools back in 2011 destroying all the costumes. Investigation could not point out anything. The rivalry between the schools is harsh. A guy asked me if my name was Francis. (That’s how all the Brazilians call me. At one point I stopped correcting them ;)) I nodded yes and then he started picking all the parts of my fantasia together. The name of my fantasia was “Energia Eólica”!!! Yeah baby! Luckily I insisted on trying the complete fantasia before I left. The guy hated me for that, but I insisted. And luckily I did! Because I found out that the trousers where too short, the shoes too small and the sweater too large. We tried and tried until the outfit was ok. I stuffed a taxi with my backpack, daypack, fantasia with the windmill scepter hanging outside the window. Up to the next hostel! Hahaha

In this next hostel I met this crazy and cozy group of people with whom I would hang out the remaining days in Rio. I also met…. Ozz the hostel dog. When I first arrived in the hostel I told the owner that he was a cute dog. The owner answered: “He is the devil”. The owner was right. ;-) Hahaha I don’t like dogs, but this guy is another story. He ruined everybody’s life in the hostel, but still we loved him. The owner of the hostel found him on the streets of Brazil, so he must be gangster. ;-) At night he went through all our stuff. A bag of cookies, socks, sneakers.. nothing was safe, but we forgave him, because he was Ozzy.

The whole city was breathing Carnival. Before this I thought it was quite calm in the city. But now all over town there where these blocos, Brazilian block parties with live music, lot’s of people and Caipharinas. It was a sport to get to the best and most secret bloco to later brag that you had been there. Through an acquaintance of a guy at the hostel we heard about a bloco at Santa Theresa. We had to take the metro, go up the hill and on top of the hill we suddenly saw hundreds of people. Crazy!!

You also had blocos along the strip of Copacabana which were more like beach parties with pumping dance music. And again my Anderson Da Silva image didn’t leave me alone. One drunk guy pointed at me and shouted “Da Silva”. His friends quickly followed and surrounded me, shouting Da Silva. Before I know it, more people on the beach followed and I was jumping up and down with dozens of people all chanting my name, which off corse isn’t mine. Well it got me free beer though! ;-) Crazy experience!

We also went to Lapa, the real party district of Rio with loads of bars, clubs and blocos. We took the metro and missed the stop. Then we took the metro back, focused, but missed the stop again. After the third time we were told that the stop is skipped, because it is out of order, but we could get there through a special pathway by getting out at a stop before and walk. Felt a bit like the secret doorway on the Harry Potter train station hahaha. I loved Lapa. Great atmosphere, crowded, samba bumping out of the speakers. We even went to a real Hip-Hop club, where they played real good Hip-Hop music and the local Brazilians had great dance battles. We also went to the Escadaria Selarón staircases, featured in the 2002 “Beautiful” music video by Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrel Williams. The picture there started as a picture of our little group, but through some energy more and more people wanted to get in the picture. We ended up with everyone on the stairs screaming: Cheeeese!!!

We partied for more than four days in a row. Even when you are tired, Rio gives you the energy to keep on partying. One day I decided to take it easy and just go to the supermarket to buy some food. I ended up in a bloco right across the supermarket and before I know it, I got sucked in to the Carnival again. Though the city gives you this natural energy, a little help from an energy drink now and then is not that bad Hahaha. I soon learned that if you order “Redbull” they have no idea what you are talking about until you pronounce it like “HedgeBully”. This resulted in awkward conversations like… Me: “I would like a Redbull!” Bartender: “A what!?” Me: “Redbull!” Bartender: “I don’t understand” Me: “A HedgeBully!!!” Bartender: “Aaaah, ok!!” Seriously!? Lol

It wasn’t only party. At one time we did a nightly work out on the beach. Again a mini ghetto workout ;-)

I try to speak as much Portuguese as I can. Even have full conversations in Portuguese. Some Brazilians want to learn English. Then we will switch to English. But all in all, my Portuguese is improving. I reached a new Milestone: I successfully helped to translate between an English speaking guest and Portuguese speaking staff at the hostel.

When I tell people I’m from the Netherlands, they immediately refer to Seedorf. They literally love him there! I once asked a janitor, who was surveilling a house, for directions to a party. We got to talk a little and he told me that Seedorf used to live in the house that he was surveilling and that he saw him go in and out every time. He is legendary to Botafogo. It makes me proud! Carnival is on it’s way…. I can’t wait.. can’t wait!!!

Brazil

Corcovadoing it!

I arrived in Rio de Janeiro the “Cidade Maravilhosa”! At the bus station I had to wait for a taxi for almost an hour. This was an inverted world. Normally the taxi drivers flock around the potty, arrived, fresh, new tourist meat. This time around we all had to get in line and wait for a taxi to pick us up. My taxi ride was right through the Sambadrome, the big open air stadium where the Carnival parade takes place. They were busy constructing it all, so now cars can just drive through. It is on these grounds, that I will put my samba feet to an ever during Samba festivity. (Ok Frans, a bit too much LOL) Later on I went to the Sambadrome to see the Samba museum. Unfortunality it was closed, but strange enough I could just walk in de midst of the Sambadrome construction, without a helmet. The place was packed with construction workers. I really got to see the Sambadrome under construction. This is unthinkable in the Netherlands!

In Rio I booked two hostels. The first hostel is called Corcovado Hostel and I could have guessed it, but it is right at the foot of the steep Corcovado hill which holds the statue of “Cristo Redentor” on top. I could see the statue from within the garden of the hostel which is really nice, but the hostel was a 40 minute bus ride away from the city center with all the beaches, the restaurants, the clubs etc. and I had to make a 10 minute walk to the bus station. And on my return this 10 minute walk would take 20 minutes, because of the steep hill. Good exercise though! Even despite all this I liked the hostel. Nice swimming pool, music and the owner, a former Shell employee, ran the hostel with his sons and nephew. I kicked it off with the guys a lot. Here I also learned about Havaianas, the famous flip-flops from Brazil. The word actually means flip-flop in Portuguese. I didn’t know about them, until I looked at my feet. I was wearing Havaianas. Lol.

Brazil is famous for it’s fruit juices, which are called Suco. And now I know why. I got addicted to them. Name a fruit and they have a juice of it. You can even mix random fruits and add some mint or ginger to it. I loved the watermelon juice. The name of the fruits were in Portuguese. And because I don’t know all the names, I sometimes randomly chose the names I liked the most and then get the surprise. One time I had a really sour, unrecognizable juice. But that is part of the game Hahaha. I also liked Açai, which is a berry that they use in a lot of things from juice to ice-cream.

When I went to Rio in 2010 the “Cristo Redentor” was under construction because of a flood. Back then I knew I would come back. And so I did. I went to see the Cristo. After purchasing my ticket I had to wait in this room with pictures of the Cristo, Rio and other attractions hanging on the wall. There I experienced the best example of NOT living in the now. A guy taking a picture of the picture of Critso hanging on the wall. Wow! A little train brought us to the top of the hill, accompanied by a live samba band. At the top I had to fight with all the other tourist to take a picture, without someone having their arms, head or feet in your picture. The Cristo was spectacular, but more so because I realized that I was standing next to the statue that symbolizes the beauty of Brazil and especially Rio de Janeiro. This was the statue I admired in many images, pictures and even my computer desktop and now I was there! Finally!

The people are also nice here. One time I was in the metro holding a plastic bag with some flyers and other non important stuff in it. The bag was a bit torned. The girl and guy from the hostel I was with, pointed it out and told me that my stuff was almost going to fall out of the bag. Then an old woman sitting next to us took something from her handbag. It was a new plastic bag, for me. If that ain’t sweet?

The day of my parade was coming closer and closer. And then I got a mail from the school that I had to be at a test on Sunday at eight o’ clock in the evening, next to the Red cross building. How vague can you be? I took a taxi and asked him to drop me off next to the Red cross building. Fortunately he knew it. The taxi driver was a nice guy. He stopped at the Maracanã stadium to took some pictures of me and explained to me what it was. I did not know that it was a famous soccer stadium. When I told him about my parade and that my school was “Salgueiro” he got really excited. He even gave me a CD right out of his CD player with all the songs of the samba schools, so that I could learn the Slagueiro song.

I arrived at the block and saw a huge crowd. A lot of people wearing “Salgueiro” t-shirts.There I understood the importance of the schools for the people. You breathe a certain school. Some people grew up with the school. It is kind of like the soccer teams, but without the aggression. And then the batteria (the group of people forming the drum section in the carnival parade) kicked in! It was really awesome to see how the directors instructed the batteria and the amazing sound it produced. I also got to find out, that the test was a test for the batteria and not for me. Pfieeeuw!! Hahaha. I had a lovely night and got a taste of my school. I’m in crowd now ;-) and ready for the real work! Samba de Janeiro!!!!

 

Brazil

The Natural Waterslide

I took the bus from Iguaçu to Sao Paulo. The busses, by the way, are ice-cold. I always wear long trousers and a thick vest. Can you believe it? Airco? Why!? Maybe to cover all the funny smells in the bus ;-) I stayed in Sao Paulo for one night and took the bus to Paraty the next day.

Paraty is a small fisherman’s town between Sao Paulo and Rio. It has an historic center, with a cosy atmosphere. It has been said that a lot of writers, actors and chefs settled here after visiting this city and I truly understand why. I simply love this city! It is really inspirational. When you walk the historic centre in the evening you see all these picturesque buildings. The horse and carriage crossing the street in front of you, nice people relaxing in front of the botecos, live samba music coming out of all corners and restaurants, the smell of delicious food all together give you a warmly embrace. I only needed to get used to the paving stones in the historic centre, that kill your ankles hahaha. But that is just a matter of practice.

The day after my arrival I took a bike to the Cachoeira Tobogã which is a waterfall with a natural water slide. Yeah! No kidding! Seriously! A natural water slide! I had to see that one! I was told that there was a small chance that it might rain that day, but was optimistic because the sun was still shining brightly as I rented the bike. But as soon as I started my journey the rain kicked in. It was an 8 km trip, with 3 km of constant steep uphill climbing. I wasn’t going to let a little water change my plans. I threw on my bright, blue poncho and just started. It must have been a strange sight, seeing me pass by. For a moment I forgot I was in Brazil. It felt just like home, but then again at home I stay inside when it rains and don’t go cycling. ;-)

The journey was harsh, the rain was like a waterfall and my glasses where fogged. The climb uphill was killing. At one point walking was even quicker than cycling. So I did. Then out of no where luckily the rain stopped and the sun started to shine again. And it would stay dry for the whole day! I got to the falls, but could only see a restaurant across a provisionally constructed bridge made out of wooden shelfs and wire. I parked the bike, crossed the bridge and asked the owner of the restaurant where I could find the falls. I had to go under the bridge, through a tick bush, over a brook and then it would be on my left side. At first I was sceptic, but I followed his directions and it was a crazy moment when I heard the sound of joyful people and suddenly saw people really sliding down in the midst of nature. Wow! I was eager to do the slide too, but as soon as I took off my flip flops I slipped and landed straight on my buttocks. Hahaha Its that slippery over there! But then I took a run-up and slid all the way down! Loved it! I could not resist to do another slide!

To get to the Cachoeira Tobogã took me about two hours uphill, but to go down hill only took me 30 minutes. I didn’t have to cycle just kick back, enjoy the landscape which even had some cows in it and use my breaks at the right moment.

That same night I had a great time in the historic center. Good food, nice people, Caipharinas and I even got to play the drums with the live band. Amazing!! The next day however I had planned an Island tour with a boat. I was really tired from the night before, but then again, laying on a boat, enjoying breathtaking sights and go for a swim now and then, next to a coral reef, plus hopping from beach to beach is the best way to relax. At one time all the boats stopped at this coral reef for us to take a swim. One after the other jumped of the boat in the crystal clear water. I took of my t-shirt… check! Took of my flip flops… check! Took of my leather wrist band, watch and glasses… check! And I plunged into the water. Then I felt in my pocket. My wallet!!! Fortunately my wallet only contained money, but I paid with wet real notes for two days.

One thing I will surely try to see when I visit Paraty again is the world famous Puppet theatre. I missed it this time. I was told about it, but only discovered it’s beauty when I looked at movie clips online.

My last day in Paraty I again rented a bike to visit the historic sights in the centre. I still wonder why I rented a bike, because there is no way you can bycilce on the rocky pavestone road. I visited the church for former slaves, the Forte Defensor Perpétuo where the gold was stashed and protected during the gold rush and a lot more historic sights.

Now I’m on my way to the “Cidade Maravilhosa”. Carnaval is just a few days away!!!

Brazil

Foz de Iguacu

There I went, the 17 hour bus trip to Foz. Off course the bus was an hour late. This is Brazil. ;-) So we left about 23:00 o’ clock. The busses are very comfortable so I slept most of the time and only woke up when we made a stop. And I remembered the number and location of the bus, because you don’t want to take the wrong bus. At 0:00 we made another stop. I got out, went to the toilet and came back. Then we made a stop at 3:00. I got out, went to the toilet, bought a bottle of water and got back. Then at 6:00 the bus stopped again and only a few people got out. Again I went to the toilet, which was really hard to find this time. But when I was on my way back to the bus, I saw this girl running up to me asking panically and slightly out of breath: “Arr ghjoe fwam gheer!?” I recognized the girl, she was in the same bus as me. I replied: “No”, but still didn’t get the question. “Well, the bus driver was going to leave without you! This was not a stop. We have to get back quick!!”, she said. And we ran to the bus, which luckily was still there. Later on in the bus she told me the complete story. The bus driver was going to leave. She informed him, that I was not in my seat. He said, well that is bad luck for him. All Brazilians know that this is not a stop. She told him I probably was not Brazilian and that she was going to find me. He gave her two minutes to find me and other wise she would be left behind also. Wow! There are nice people in the world and the fact that I seem to look Brazilian can also work against me. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if I was left behind, with no money, no passport, no nothing.

We arrived in Foz de Iguacu which is a nice, little, cosy town. And I finally did a Churrascaria. A typical “all you can eat” Brazilian meat restaurant. They are all over Brazil and I was told that it really is an experience. And they were right. I loved it!! There is a buffet of salad, rice, beans, potato, olives etc. etc. You can put any thing on your plate. And the waiters constantly serve all kinds of meat at your table on a long spear. There is even a card with an image of a cow and they point out which part of the cow you are eating. They tell you what kind of meat it is and you can just say yes or no. I don’t know if I look like someone who can have a lot, because the waiters kept flocking my table. Rump steak, Filet minion, pork []vlees soorten]. Nine out of ten times I had to say no, because I wasn’t even ready with the previous piece of meat. Then suddenly a waiter came to my table saying: “Chicken heart sir?” At first I was like: “Seriously!? Chicken heart!?”, but then I was like: “I might as well try” So I ate chicken heart which obviously was discussing. It tasted like chicken, but had a mussel like structure. And I don’t like mussels. Hahaha. The most surprising thing wasn’t even the meat, though it was really good though, but the roasted pineapple with a caramelized cinnamon, sugar crust. Delicious!! When I was really stuffed and asked for the bill, the waiter just insisted I tried the deserts, because they were sweet. And he was soooo right!! I eventually literally rolled out of the Churrascaria. I don’t think I have ever felt this stuffed, but it a good way.

The next morning I visited the Iguacu Falls. The Iguacu Falls are arranged in a way that seems like a reverse letter “J”. The border between Brazil and Argentina runs through the Devil’s Throat. On the right bank is the Brazilian territory, which has just over 20% of the jumps of these falls, and the left side jumps are Argentine, which make up almost 80% of the falls. I went to the Argentinian side, because there is more to do there. It is just a 1.5 hour trip to the Argentian border. We gave our passport to the guide to get us across the border, entered the national park and hiked to the falls. You hear the sound of 1800 m3 water per second spewing falls from a distance. It is the place which is called the mirror of God, a wholly burial place for the native indians, a place with a lot of history and suddenly you are standing eye to eye with this indescribable wonder of nature. Simply breath taking! We took a boat that got us really close to the falls. So close that we completely got wet. We crossed the 2 km long bridge over the whole stretch of the rivers that end out in the falls to eventually come to the “Garganta del diablo” or “Devil’s throat”. This is were the falls turn in a curvature, the half circle of the reverse letter “J”. We stood on the landmark of the three frontiers, the meeting point of the three countries: Brazil, Argentinia and Paragauy. It’s crazy to imagine! What I feel during this trip is so big it is difficult to find the words!

Now and then people ask me to make a picture. At first I think they ask me to take a picture for them, but then I find out they want me to pose with them in the picture. I’m not sure what this is. May be I have a look a like in Brazil!? (Not again ;) But one night a drunk guy at a bar looked at me and enthusiastic yelled: “Anderson THE SPIDER Silva!!! You look like Anderson THE SPIDER Silva. ” I googled the guy later on and thought seriously!!? I don’t look like this guy by far!!! But if this is really the guy I’m compared to a few people have a fan pic with a fake Anderson on it. LOL

When I came back I did the Churrascaria again. Why not? LOL And back at the hostel, I had a new room mate from Hong Kong. Named Ken. We talked a bit and then turned of the lights to take a nap. The lights were only out for 10 minutes when I heard him scream and move in panic! I rushed to turn on the light and asked him what was wrong. “An insect the size of my hand is flying around here!!” he replied in fear. I kept my calm, but I was not keen on an insect the size of a hand. Then it hit me, flattering it’s wings hardly against the side of my head. At first even I was shocked, but immediately discovered it was just a butterfly in panic. False alarm and two heroes! LOL hahaha

The next day I went to the Brazilian side of the Iguacu Falls. The Brazilian side has a lot less to do but gives a beautiful panoramic view of the falls and you can even walk a bridge that sets you amongst the falls. The Brazilian side is also more about making money. For example you can rent a helicopter to fly above the falls. The Argentinians don’t have that, because of the pollution. Also… and this is really crazy…. you have to pay an entrance fee, based on your country of residence. I went there with a guy from Denmark and we paid the head prize. On the other hand I think it’s pretty fair though. The Brazilian side also had a lot of coatimundis walking around. These creatures move in gangs, are really aggressive, can inflict serious scratches and the aim at your food. And still people are dum enough to feed them. Wow! Finally I searched for the Cataratas. I constantly saw this word and wondered what it was. I knew one thing. I had to see the Cataratas. Then I found out that Cataratas is Portuguese for waterfall and I guess…. I have… kind of… seen those by now. LOL

Brazil

Barra Funda & The Samba

With 37 degrees Sao Paulo is hotter than ever! Even the Paulistanos complain about this insane temperature. These past couple of days I was just relaxing and seeing the city. I visited the Altino Arantes (161 meter skyscraper with a great view of Sao Paulo) and the famous Pinacoteca museum. I tried to do this the day before, but I wasn’t allowed in to the building because I had no id on me and the Pinacoteca museum was closed that day. So I ended up seeing the Municipal market and a lot of metro stations ;-) But eventually I got to see it all.

I also went to the Samba bar in Vila Madalena, simply called “Bar Samba”! I was a bit nervous hahaha, because I have heard these stories about everyone is dancing at the end of the night. Everyone! So that also meant me I guess. And I don’t know any samba yet. The evening started out with a dinner and the Samba band playing slow songs. Then when the evening passed the band increased their tempo, people slowly started to get up, chairs and tables were put aside and eventually… I caught it! XD It was great! Everyone was doing there thing, dancing, chanting the songs and to be honest the band was the best! Also a professional couple gave away a little show and I knew right there that that was the way Samba is really danced!

I really like this metropolis Sao Paulo. And I have learned a few funny things during my stay here:

A zebra crossing doesn’t mean a thing. It is only an indication of where you might cross the street, but you are completely surrendered to the wrath of the cars deciding wether to stop for you or not.

Brazilians have a strange perception of distance. Many times when I asked the way, they tell me: “Oh, é perto daqui” meaning it’s nearby. In actuality this means a 2 – 3 km walk on a up-and-down landscape, which makes it even havier. So when I ask for directions and they tell me it is not so close I take the plane. Hahaha LOL

A firm “thumbs up” sign is the most used hand gesture. It used by everyone from waiters to police men on the street. It’s a constant check to see if you are on a good pace with each other.

If you see more and more street vendors, drug addicts and armed police forces it means you are entering a dangerous neighborhood. Make a right turn. Also, if you don’t see anyone openly using their smartphone, laptop, photo camera or mp3 player, there may be a reason for that. ;-)

In Europe we kiss three times on the cheek, in Rio de Janeiro two times, in Sao Paulo one time

It is funny how you can get used to things. In some places it is quite common for the wifi connection to fail for quite a period of time. Instead of complaining, you just go and do something else en try again like an hour later. Unthinkable in the Netherlands!! LOL

Sao Paulo is known for it’s marvelous Pizza’s. It’s true, I have tried a few. Decades ago there were a lot of Italian immigrants who brought the craft to Sao Paulo.

Brazilians eat diner in the afternoon and some snacks in the evening. I adjusted to this eating habit. In the beginning it was a bit strange to have a T-bone steak with rice, beans, salad and a desert around one o’ clock in the afternoon, but to be honest it is quite smart. You do actually use most of your energy in the afternoon and the evening. So why eat diner in the evening to subsequently hang on the coach watching TV!?

As long as I don’t open my mouth they see me for a Brazilian. I’m like an undercover Gringo. But I always blow my cover as soon as I start to speak or try to dance the samba! LOL. Hahahaha

These past couple of days I have also been planning the rest of my trip in Brazil. This last thing was quite a hustle. I had to decide which cities to pick, which cities to cancel and most of all how to get there? But then again, I don’t complain, because it’s a great full task :) Everyone I talk to has there favorite city or “must go to” place, but I can’t do ‘m all. I have also been told that getting around in Brazil is hard. I experienced it at first hand. For example, you’ve got dozens of competing bus companies in different places of the city, all driving to a different set of cities. I was also told you have to get your ticket way in advance and they mostly don’t speak English. So I just took a piece of paper, wrote down de dates I wanted to travel, the destination I wanted to go to and went to the Barra Funda (One of the major bus terminals in Sao Paulo). I could try and talk Portuguese, but I figured this was not the right situation and place to practice ;-). When I arrived there I saw dozens of ticket windows of the rivaling bus companies. I showed the piece of paper to the bus companies and picked the one that had like a normal price. You should never take the cheapest one, because you don’t want to end up in a shitty bus, with no airco for a 17 hour trip. Eventually I got my tickets and I must have looked very confident, because Brazilian people started asking me questions about the arrival and departure times of the busses Lol! Also getting around by plane is not transparent and really expensive. But finally I got the plan together!! This will more or less be my route:

Screen Shot 2014-02-15 at 4.28.19 PM

  • Sao Paulo
  • Paraty
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Salvador
  • Fortaleza
  • Jericoacoara
  • Manaus (Amazone)
  • Foz do Iguaçu
  • Back to Sao Paulo

Of course on the way everything can change. And it already did like an hour ago, because Foz do Iguaçu was going to be my last stop, but while I was writing I came to talk with this guy from Brazil, who later on happened to be a famous skydiver. I could do Iguazu easily in three days from Sao Paulo. So I’m heading for the Igazu falls tonight. It is a 17 hour ride, giving me flash backs of my teenage trips to Lloret de Mar in Spain. I planned it in the evening so I could sleep. Foz do Iguaçu! Off we go!!

 

Brazil

Sampa and the Paulistanos

I have been in Sao Paulo or Sampa as they call it, for a few days now and I really know my way around the city. I went to the Ibirapuera park (I still can’t pronounce the name) where there are a lot of buildings from the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, like the Afro Museum for example which I visited. Real nice museum! I also went to the well known rue Paulista where the Art museum is. (Yeah I know, I’m getting old. I know, I know ;)

On the street I am constantly addressed in Brazilian Portuguese. Guess I really blend in with the Paulistanos as the people from São Paulo call themselves. I noticed that the weekend here starts on Wednesday, because the same bars that close early on Monday and Tuesday are packed, crowded full of people and live music from Wednesday on. I am constantly busy with the language. I really want to learn it. One time I asked for directions in Portuguese. I didn’t know what to do with the deluge of words that were replied. So I ended up asking four people the same question until I understood the words. And I mostly did it to practice my sentence four times and be understood LOL

Today I was even part of a movie set. I walked up the stairs at the Vila Madalena metro station and saw a camera crew, with sound technicians, actors and a director. First I stopped in order not to spoil the scene, but then I saw other people just continued their walk. So I also continuid mine, but as soon as I started walking I heard the director yell: “eee ação!!” wich means “Action!” I don’t know what was being filmed, but I guess I’m in it. hahaha

I ended my day with a Yoga class I followed at rue Harmonia. Really nice! It was completely in Portuguese, but with a little help from the teacher and now and then peeking sideways to what the other students did, I managed. For exemple when the teacher said: “pé direito na frente” I had no idea what he was really saying, but I recognized by the sound of it, that I had to put my right foot up front. When the teacher uses the words “respire” (=breathe in) and “expire” (=breathe out) I didn’t know wether to breathe in or breathe out, because the words sound really similar in Portuguese. I just listened wether everyone was breathing in or breathing out. Surviving tactics in the Yoga class haha. I was like super relaxed after that. I did hear a some bones crack inside of me during the class, but I guess that’s a good thing though. ;)

P.s.

Oh yeah, and the sunglasses… the spacey ones… I like them! They are like sooooo 2014. I had to get me one. And at least I had to change something to my outfit, because I’m rotating the same sets week in, week out LOL

Brazil

Sao Paulo arrival

Finally in the land of my dreams again! Brazil! I landed in Sao Paulo after a tiresome trip from San José via Miami to Sao Paulo. And U.S. is always the worst part. Paranoia at the airport haha. But I arrived! And since I am keen on learning the language I forced my self to only talk Portuguese with the Taxi Driver. It went pretty well. He could understand me, even though I couldn’t understand half of what he replied. However the words “Sim (=yes)” en “Entendo(=I understand)” help out a lot in such a conversation. Hahaha.

I arrived at the Hostel in the Vila Madalena neighborhood and it was really a beautiful one. It had a 9.4 rating on TripAdvisor and justly. Clean, designed and a really good atmosphere. When I tried to search online for nice things to do in Sao Paulo, a lot of these things were in the same neighborhood as the hostel. It’s an artsy neighborhood with nice art galleries, arts & crafts shops, and bookstores and with great nightlife in its restaurants, corner bars, and botecos (small bar/restaurants). And art is spread all around the hood escpecially in Beco do Batman:

The first night I got invited to a BBQ that some of the guys at the hostel organized. It was funny! Even with a jet leg. Another guy liked to play the guitar and sing, so we had like live background music the whole evening. Nice! The hostesses are also really helpful. They even helped me with the arrangement of…. drumroll… my Rio Carnival Parade. It looks like I am going to attend! This will be my outfit:

My Samba outfit energia-eolicaI will walk along with the Salgueiro samba school, which has an all-time rank of 5. I will start at 1:20 am in sector 6 together with 99 others in the same outfit. Imagine 100 of these outfits parading along at the Sambadrome, and one of them is me. LOL. I can’t wait. But then a little panic started to kick in when I suddenly realized: I have never danced the Samba!!! Hahaha. We’ll see. First I have to learn the lyrics to the song of the samba school.

Even though it’s almost arranged, I can’t withhold the hardships I had to bear to just do a simple payment to the Brazilian bank account of the Samba school. I went to bank A. There they told me I can’t do a deposit with my card so I have to withdraw cash at bank B. After waiting for decades at bank B, they told me their bank doesn’t deal with European cards. They sent me to bank C in the city centre. I almost went there but luckily one of the hostesses directed me to a nearby ATM. There I could finally withdraw the cash. Jeej! I went back to bank A to do the deposit and now they told me that they can’t do the deposit, because the bank account of the samba school is a bank account of another bank D. And there I went to bank D, where I finally got to do my deposit. Almost 3 hours later. Hahaha. But then again who cares, I’m going!!

 

Costa Rica

Irazú Volcano

The Irazú Volcano is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. From the top it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on a clear day. However, such clear days are rare, and the volcano’s summit is usually cloud-covered. So was mine.

This morning I went to the Irazú Volcano. I was told that everyday there is only one bus heading for the volcano that departures around 8 a.m. somewhere near Avenida 2. Because this is my last day in Costa Rica I had to make it happen. And also I heard that if the bus is full the bus driver just leaves the remaining people behind. Sounds like a mission from Lord of the rings. “To reach Irazú go to the shire at Avenida and wait for the… ” well, you get my grip LOL. Ok, but to be honest I could’ve just taken a tour for $ 99,- but then you pay for the taxi, the spanish guide and a translator for the spanish guide. The bus is just $ 10,- Yeah and I’m crazy harry ;-). So I got up really early and got in the city. After being shown in the wrong direction for three times I noticed this huge crowd just alongside a street. The first person I asked confirmed that they were indeed waiting for the bus to Irazú. I had to wait in back of the line and kind of gave up all hope that I would make it in to the bus, because the number of people in front of me could fit in two busses. But my name wouldn’t be hope-a-lot if I didn’t kept waiting. Luckily I did. Miraculously we all fit in the bus, which picked us up at 9:30 am. After a one and a half hour trip we arrived at the volcano. I had two and an half hours to explore the sights and to make a 2 km walk uphill to the crater. The hill was steep and the air was thin.  So I was a bit gasping for air. I also noticed the high air pressure when I opened a tube of lotion and all the lotion just sprayed out. Wow! The volcano was ok. It felt a bit like a B.K. experience. When you look at the double king size Whopper you just ordered, it looks far from the juicy Whopper on the picture behind the counter, but still it tastes ok. And to be able to stand near a crater that had been erupting hot lava just decades ago is something I’m grateful for! This one wasn’t even on my bucket list, but I put it up there, just to score it out. ;-)

Tomorrow up to Sao Paolo!!

Costa Rica

Cahuita man!

Cahuita is something else man! I arrived in Cahuita on the 26th of January to stay there for just two nights and then return back to Puerto Viejo. I ended up staying there for five days! Cahuita is like the Jamaica of Costa Rica. Rastafarians who say “Bless ya!” as they great you on the street. Reggae music bumping out of speakers on every street corner and there are bikes everywhere. I decided to rent one. When I asked for a lock for the bike the owner laughed at me: “No man, nobotti gon’ steel a bike aroond eer!” he said with a Jamaican like accent. Nough said! :)

I went hiking in the Cahuita national park, which I liked even more than the one in Manuel Antonio. I stood at Punta Cahuita which is really the tip of Costa Rica giving you a view of the Caribbean sea. Check it out on Google Maps.

Cahuita is a real small city. You can walk the whole center in like 10 minutes. I think many people would call it boring, because there is little to do, but for me it was just what I needed. I enjoyed strolling around and eating the local dishes like Casada, Chifriju and Red Snapper Fish. One day I bought some vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, unions and avocado from the greengrocer on the street and prepared my own meal with all the primitive kitchen tools at hand. Loved it!

I spent hours and hours laying in the hammocks on the hostel veranda. Sleeping, reading, surfing or just chilling. Super relaxed! There was one hammock however where the rope broke, leaving the female laying disillusioned on the ground. But after a day or two I discovered there was something else going on around here. Hence I introduce to you: “The sabotage squirrel!” LOL.

Each time the hammock was secured, the fellow seemed to nibble the rope, thus sabotaging the hammock. We all had a good laugh about it. What an evil squirrel ;) How in earth can you come up with something like this. I don’t see no incentive for the squirrel other then defending his or her habitat. And if so, what a smart squirrel it is! 

The owner had a big dog called Scooby Doo and a few cats. And in the evening when I was planning the rest of my trip sometimes two of the kittens accompanied me and played in front of my laptop.

I rediscovered Reggae and learnt to appreciate Tabasco sauce. I really liked it here! So relaxed, but the trip must go on!

The day before I left we saw a sloth next to the entrance of the hostel. Everybody came outside to witness the sloth pass by. And they are quicker than I thought.

Today I arrived at a new Hostel. This one has even got a pool!

P.s.

I reached a milestone in a long time. My todo list contains only 3 items. People who know me, know how epic this is. It’s like saying: Today there are only thousand people living in India! Now lets go for an empty one!

Costa Rica

New Life in Puerto Viejo

Pura Vida! Pura Vida! That’s how every one in Costa Rica says goodbye. It has many meanings. But basically it means pure life. And if you Google it you find out it has a whole history behind it.

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Yesterday I left Manuel Antonio to head for Puerto Viejo on the Carribean side of Costa Rica. Out of all weekends to visit Puerto Viejo I picked the one with the Costa Rica National surf competition. The city is crowded and there are nearly any vacant Hostels. And I don’t even like surfing! So I ended up in a guesthouse no one has ever heard of. Even later on a taxi driver would tell me I was the first person he ever brought there. I arrived in Puerto Viejo after a 9 hour bus trip with connection in San José. I sat on the bus with a guy from Switzerland. He talked Swiss German. And the crazy thing is that I could understand it and on the other hand he could understand me when I talked dutch. These languages are sooo similar. I didn’t know that! So we talked the whole trip, astonished by the fact we could understand each other. haha I arrived in Puerto Viejo late in the evening.

The owner picked me up with a little white van. On the phone he told me: “I’m the guy with the mustache in a little white van.” I told him: “I’m the black guy with the glasses and the backpack.” LOL We arrived at the spot. A huge house surrounded by only green jungle, barking dogs, and the sound of crickets. He told me the cabin was really in the middle of nature. Surrounded by sloths, monkeys and off course insects. For your information a few days ago I saw a bird landing on a wall. When I looked closer it actually was a cricket.  And later on I heard that my cabin was near to a banana tree. So I was sleeping close to many banana tree spiders. The owner told me that later, when I left. But to continue my story. the owner’s name was Sasha. He was a relaxed, short, dreadlocked, Italian guy with a mustache who moved from Italy to Costa Rica and bought the cabins like three years ago. He introduced me to his father Flavio and then escorted me to my cabin. When I was escorted to my cabin we walked past a room where I noticed a heavily pregnant woman laying on a bed puffing and sweating, with here belly out and a fan blowing. Probably Sasha’s woman? The cabin looked really nice, but there were spiderwebs everywhere. I did not sleep to well. Woke up a few times from sounds in the trees. These were actually fruits falling down from the trees, while I constantly thought it was some kind of animal. I could not catch any sleep at all.

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This morning I went down stairs an saw Flavio, Sasha’s father, with a great grin on his face. The baby was born! “I just became a grandpa”, he smiled. And guess what they named the boy…. ? Francesco!! Wow! However Sasha didn’t admit he named him after me hahaha. He just came up with the name that day he told me. What a coincidence ;)

“Sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near” ― Paulo Coelho, Aleph